Since 1985, in various formats, SLANT -- an independent voice based in Richmond's Fan District -- has offered its readers original commentary on politics and popular culture, including cartoons and selected sundries. Warning: Sometimes that means satirical content. All rights are reserved.

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Buzz benefit at Plant Zero

Here are some photos I shot at the Give Love to Buzz benefit at Plant Zero in Dogtown Sunday afternoon. The event was staged to follow up on last year's boffo benefit at the same location, back when Buzz Montsinger's recovery from his spinal cord injury was still quite uncertain:

The last act on stage today reunited most of the original Jokers Wild band, from circa 1967, plus a few ringers. Click here for background. Before and during his stellar football career at the University of Richmond, Montsinger played in that free-wheeling party band, 40 years ago, with a few of his friends from Henrico County's J. R. Tucker High School, guys who went to high school with former governor Jim Gilmore.A familiar face -- John "Big Daddy" Richardson (above) dished out his world-famous barbeque. Others volunteered to serve beer and wine.

Buzz Montsinger, with saxophone in hand -- standing on his own two feet -- is on the left, with Howard Awad on trumpet at his side; drummer Bruce Olsen is in the foreground, all of them Jokers Wild originals.Roger Carroll (above) joined in to lend the sound of his sax to the proceedings. It’s been a long day, so I’ll update this post with more info later.

Update: Click here to read an article about the party with some background written by Brandon Shulleeta for the Richmond Times-Dispatch.